Yankees ace CC Sabathia sharp in final spring start

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia throws during the first inning of a spring exhibition baseball gameagainst the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Fla., Thursday, March 27, 2014. Sabathia pitched four scoreless innings in his final tuneup for opening day, a 4-2 victory over the Pirates. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Pirates: Pimentel is slated to open the season in the bullpen as a long reliever but will be a candidate for spot starts. Just 24, he will be a candidate for the starting rotation in 2015, when the Pirates may have to replace Wandy Rodriguez, Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: Liriano (left groin) reported no ill effects one day after throwing a simulated game and remains on track to be the opening-day starter. It was the first time he’d thrown off a mound in nearly a week.

The left-hander’s final hurdle will come Saturday, when he is to throw a bullpen session in Philadelphia.

“It’s a balance between making sure we don’t put him in harm’s way and making sure we respect his desire to compete when he says he’s ready to go,” general manager Neal Huntington said.

Yankees: Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury took batting practice and ran the bases after playing in two consecutive days of minor league games. He had missed the previous 1½ weeks due to right calf tightness. Ellsbury is scheduled to play in games Friday and Saturday, and is expected to be ready for the opener.

MONEY MATTERS

Pirates: Outfielder Starling Marte finalized a $31 million, six-year contract that buys out all of Marte’s arbitration-eligible years and his first year of potential free agency. The deal includes club options for 2020 and 2021.

ROSTER MOVES

Pirates: Right-hander Brandon Cumpton was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Last season, he went 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in six outings with the Pirates, including five spot starts.

Pittsburgh acquired outfielder Keon Broxton from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a player to be named and assigned him to Double-A Altoona. The 23-year-old was a third-round pick in the 2009 amateur dft.

With the moves, New York native Dellin Betances likely has earned a bullpen role. Betances threw one scoreless inning Thursday. Final cuts could be made Friday.

FINAL PREPARATIONS

Pirates: Right-hander Edinson Volquez will remain in Florida for extended spring training after the Pirates break camp. He’s scheduled to throw up to 100 pitches Sunday in a minor league game. Volquez, who signed a $5 million deal in December, is to make his Pirates debut April 6 at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.